Chapter 9: Hard To Forgive…
Knowing how things might be, our own paranormal investigator is waiting outside of his father's job to have someone else join the family meeting. To be fair, Dib didn't even want to be at his dad's workplace since he was having...trust issues with him. During the times that Dib was little, Professor Membrane kept egging him on to get rid of his obsession with paranormal weirdness and invest in science for the better. The older Membrane sibling wasn't close to being interested in his father's work as he came so close to discovering many mysteries around the city.
But it became hopeless as Dib kept trying to tell his dad that Zim was an alien for many years and Professor Membrane told him that he will be given a ticket to an asylum if he keeps this up. But the one time that Dib's father believed him, it was during the Florpus incident; only to have his memory cleaned from that event and ignored Dib's lack of evidence. And if that was worse, the Swollen Eyeball Network agents were disappointed in Dib that they demoted him to nothing but a worm and destroyed his membership account. In English: Dib is no longer with SEN and was given a big 'F.U.!' in bold letters.
And it happened today and Dib was still pissed at that. But now, he was in a calm mood and patiently waited for his sister to arrive. Dib was starting to wonder if Gaz would actually show up after what the Membrane family have been through. She even skipped out on Family Night last year while smashing the hovering screen again. In his thoughts, he couldn't blame her. Their dad was working 24/7 and rarely came home to see them.
Dib sighed and thought, 'I hope she does show up. Don't want to face him alone for this. Plus someone else is waiting for me.'
Just as Dib was about to check the time again, he heard something rolling his way; along with screams of joy. He turned his head and gasped to see two figures coming up to him. Dib evaded the riders, but landed on a bush to cushion the impact. The riders came to a complete stop and one was giggling with joy.
"Man, what a rush! Now I know why skaters love to ride these things!"
"And now you know how awesome they are!"
Dib knew those voices well and looked up to see both Zim and Gaz. But the moment he looked up, something got his attention and made him gasp in shock. His sister was in his sight and noticed a growth of hair into a ponytail and...everything! "Gaz, is that you?!"
The two teens turned to the sound and see Dib getting up from the fall. Gaz said, "Hey, Dib."
"Greetings, Dib! How are you doing? I hope Thanos didn't scare you too much." Zim chuckled softly.
"Um...Zim?" Dib spoke, "What happened to my sister?!"
Both the teens were confused about what he meant, but Gaz understood what he spoke about and answered for her friend. "Relax, Dib. He didn't do anything to me. I tried out his new shower that helped cleanse my skin with stress and negative feelings inside me."
"YOU SHOWERED AT HIS HOUSE?!" DIb shouted in horror.
"Geez, calm down. I was doing some exercises with him and didn't want to go around town smelling like garbage. Although, my hair and body made a remarkable change and I love it." Gaz smiled and turned to Zim. "Not only that, I even spent the day with him."
"The whole day?" Dib was surprised that Gaz, his antisocial sister, would actually enjoy her Saturday going out without being cooped up in her room playing games. And to hang with Zim?! Now that was shocking!
"Yep." Gaz replied. "And I even took out Iggins at the arcade. Finally, he was able to shut up for good."
"Isn't he the same person you nearly killed in an elevator so you can get your game back from him?" Dib stated.
Zim looked at Gaz with a shocking look as she looked away with a small blush. "Yeah...I kinda went there just to get back the stolen GameSlave."
Zim shrugged his shoulders. "Meh. I could care less about his safety. Iggins was a dumbass to do stupid things and ranting about being a true gamer."
"Can't argue with that," replied Gaz.
"Am I missing something here?" Dib asked in confusion as to watching his enemy and sister talking together as if they were longtime friends.
Zim and Gaz turned to him and Gaz answered for him. "Oh! Sorry. We were just talking random stuff."
Dib shook his head and sighed. "Nevermind. Anyway, better get inside before I get another lecture."
"Why? Dad is always patient when it comes to stuff like this." Gaz said in a bored tone.
"Um...actually...it's not Dad I'm talking about." Dib replied while rubbing his head.
This got Gaz raising an eyebrow and Zim asked, "Huh?! Then who might you be-"
"Dib! Come on, honey, I'm bored in here!"
Upon hearing the voice, the teens looked straight at the door as Zim and Gaz were surprised to see a familiar face out of nowhere: Tak!
Tak, a former and banished Irken invader, was now approaching the group to reveal herself in a human disguise with fair skin and her short purple hair with bangs covering her left side. Her outfit was consisting of a dark blue camisole dress with a slit on the left side and a denim jacket. Alongside with some black flats on for extra fanciness.
"Tak?!" Zim shouted.
"Honey?!" Gaz followed as well.
Dib sheepishly laughed and rubbed his head. "Um...surprise?"
"Oh, hey guys!" Tak said while coming up to them with a smile. "I was wondering if you guys would show up. I was getting bored and snacking on some chips to pass the time."
"I'm sorry, but I'm trying to process this. 'Honey'?!" Gaz was still shocked.
"And how did you get here to Earth?" Zim asked.
Before Tak would answer, Dib interfered. "Look, I know you two have lots of questions, but it's time to see Dad. We'll talk about this after we're done here."
Although Gaz would ask why Tak was here and if there was something going on between her and her brother, Dib was right. Gaz just sighed and said, "Fine. Let's get this over with."
Zim followed along as Tak held Dib's hand to lead them back inside the building.
Upon arriving, the four teens were looking around the science building to see how much has changed. Zim was amazed about the new rooms and such. However, Dib and Gaz were quiet to now return back to their father's workplace. Seeing how he wanted to bring them here for a Family Meeting, both siblings both have some certain things to say to Professor Membrane. Followed by that, it has been awhile since they've actually gotten closer as siblings after Gaz's incident. But right now, they were right by the door that was guarded by a soldier.
"Dib and Gaz Membrane? Children of Professor Membrane?" The guard asked.
"Yes?" Dib answered while Gaz folded her arms in confirmation.
"Okay then! You two may go on ahead." The guard then looked at Zim and Tak. "However, those two must wait in the lounge until you get back. Membrane's orders!"
"Are you kidding me? Then why the fu-freak did he want us to bring them here for?!" Gaz shouted.
The guard was looking a little nervous as he heard about Gaz. She was antisocial and somewhat violent if provoked wrong. He was about to know why, but Zim stopped her before she would get really angry.
"It's okay, Gaz. We don't mind waiting. I got some things to look over before we leave here." Zim reassured his crush.
This made Gaz calm down and sighed a bit. "You sure?"
Zim nodded to confirm. "Of course."
"What about you, Tak?" Dib asked.
"I'll be fine. Take your time. I'll be right here for you if you need anything." Tak replied.
And with that, the guard opened the door and Dib went inside. Gaz was about to go in, but stopped to turn to Zim. She came up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "It won't be long. Wish me luck."
Gaz went inside and Zim started to head towards the lounge. Tak was surprised by Gaz's action to the former Irken and wondered if there was some strange connection between the two. But Tak shrugged the idea and went to find some more snacks.
Conference Room
Dib and Gaz were inside to take a look at the room. Although it was a little big, but it was enough space to hold meetings and share ideas for the world. Once then, the siblings saw their father, Professor Membrane, looking over something on his clipboard while muttering something under his breath. He paused as he heard footsteps and looked to see his kids arriving.
"OH! Hello, kids! Glad you could make it!" Professor Membrane stated while placing his clipboard down.
"Well...I was busy with stuff until you called. Probably something important when you messaged me." Gaz said with a little venom.
"And I was doing research on some...things. Anyway, you called us here for a reason." Dib stated.
"Ah, yes! I was just getting to that. Take a seat. Get comfortable." The Professor said while the siblings were sitting down on the soft chairs. "I thought it would be fair to just see my kids grow up and make sure things are doing well."
"Gee, dad. I thought you would've noticed us by now." Gaz remarked.
"But now, we are all together now and talking things out. So, Gaz, how's middle school? Did you make new friends?"
Gaz was slowly starting to get mad, but receded and sigh. "I'm in the 10th grade since I got good grades and transferred up. And for friends? I...finally found a few."
Dib looked at Gaz with a curious look. "You have?"
Gaz looked at her brother with a frowning look and replied. "Yes, dumbass. You got a problem believing me?"
He put his hands up and replied, "NONO! No problem! Just...curious. I'd never expected you to get along with others."
Gaz huffed. "Whatever."
"And you, Dib, did you finally contribute to science and help your dear old Dad out soon?" The scientist asked.
"Dad, I told you I'm not doing that. I'm still doing paranormal and I'm sticking to it." Dib replied with a quiet tone.
"Son. I told you that it's not real and you're wasting potential on something that doesn't exist." He stated with a sigh. "Why can't you just follow in my footsteps and-"
"Listen," Dib interrupted, "I don't like to do what you constantly do. Why should I even follow up on this?"
"Because I want what's best for you." Professor Membrane said with confident tone. "Surely you don't want to waste your life with this paranormal nonsense! It's like saying Gaz should give up on video games and focus on other things."
Just by hearing that, Gaz shot an angry glare at her father. "Excuse me? When do you start caring about my career? It's something I like and I enjoy it!"
"Hmm. Well then, try explaining how you nearly got kicked out of Skool for your actions." His words were sharp as he glared at his daughter.
There was a small gasp escaping from her mouth and she asked, "How did you-"
"Your principal called me one day after I was making toast. The fact that she told me about your assault on the poor lad and he was in the hospital for intensive care! I had to pay for the damages you've caused!" Professor stated with a frowning look. Gaz looked away from knowing that she did cause Johnny harm and nearly took his life from her assault. But then, Professor Membrane looked at his son and asked, "And you! Why didn't you try to stop your sister?"
"Like what do you want me to do? You think I tried to make sure she doesn't go hectic on people?!" Dib shouted. "This is Gaz we're talking about!"
"I'm sorry, but what do you mean by that statement?" Gaz raised an eyebrow to see what her brother meant by that.
"Oh, ok! Let me explain this to you since I might be dumb to tell you some stuff!" Dib said while glaring at her. "I wonder to myself how I couldn't understand why my sister hates me for so long! Was it because of my hobbies? Trying to be a good brother?! My head?! I can't think of why you're always using me as a punching bag!"
"Well, maybe if you-"
"No, Gaz! Listen to me! I'm your older brother and the only thing I get from you is a punch to the face and insults!" Dib stated.
"And why should I-" Gaz was interrupted again, but was startled a bit by Dib slamming his fist on the table.
"Gaz...for once...in your GODDAMN life...just SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LISTEN TO ME?!"
The room was silent as Professor Membrane and Gaz were shocked that Dib would just flat-out swear. And right into Gaz's face! Never would she imagine that he would actually cuss her that way and their father just stood up to confront him.
"SON! That was very inappropriate to say to your little sister like that!" Professor Membrane shouted.
"Oh! So now you want to talk about this situation?! Screw that, I need to get something off my chest!" Dib soon glared at the surprised Gaz as he knew enough was enough. "I can admit a lot of things in life: Never making friends, my obsession with weird things, and being insulted on a daily basis! Seriously, I wonder how the world can survive much idiocracy to tell what's real or fake. But the only thing I think that's not real must be having a little sister like you!"
Gaz must've felt something in her heart because it kinda stung her a bit to hear Dib say that to her. Unable to comply, Gaz kept on hearing Dib more.
"The only thing I wanted you to do was to just hear me out and speak to me without thinking of a smart remark to think otherwise! And the next thing I knew, I was used as a punching bag for just small petty stuff! Grabbing the last pizza or soda, asking you a question, begged for a favor: more to come when you let your fists do the talking! I was about to end up like Johnny when you nearly killed him! Do you hate me so much that you'd put me six feet under?! Just like you would threaten people by sending people to your world of nightmares?! Well then, Gaz, why don't you do it since you want to?!"
Dib was pissed and felt more coming up. He could care less about how this will end, but he needed to speak for himself and he was done being a fool to everyone.
"I'm tired and done with your crap and you should just listen to your only brother for once! Not attacking me for nothing! If so, then I'm done with this and your fucking attitude because you are nothing more than a vindictive, heartless, antisocial, monstrous BITCH!"
Dib was exhaling everything out from his lungs and knew it had to be said. He let it all out and wanted Gaz to hear every last word. Gaz, however, was just speechless and never knew how much her brother felt this way. Has she always been cruel to her brother? Disrespecting him and thought of him as a pathetic bug? She thought back at those moments and knew it was true.
"Dib...was I...that...violent...towards you?" Gaz spoke softly as she felt terrible for what she did to him.
He took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, Gaz. I'm...I'm just tired of getting picked on and being ridiculed. The moment when I wanted to see what Zim was planning yesterday, I thought it could be the last thing I would do before I decided I was done. For once, I would like to fit in and make at least one friend, but...I nearly gave up and stayed home for good."
Gaz could feel the sadness coming from her brother as she got up from the chair to face him. "Dib, I...I didn't know-"
"It's fine, Gaz. But in a strange twist, I met Tak again and we started to just...get along." Dib stated with a small smile.
Before Dib would say more, his father interrupted him. "But that still didn't give you the right to just go off on your sister like that! Seriously, what is going on with you two?! Haven't I taught you how to love each other?"
Upon hearing this, Gaz and Dib looked at their father with a confusing look. "Taught us what?!"
Richard answered, "Teaching you how to love one another. I even put it on video in case you needed to know better. Look, I sent you a guide to show-"
"Cut the crap, Dad!" Gaz interrupted him as she was getting upset. "I know you're not telling us how to get along as a family since one of us hasn't even shown us in our lives."
"Daughter, you should know that the world needs me! I can't just-" Richard was interrupted.
"What?! Abandon your care for us and help those idiots for nothing?!"Gaz stated with anger.
"She's right, Dad; more than 5 years and you still haven't shown up to anything in person during those years! It's always that damn computer screen instead of you! Tell us, dad: Why couldn't you just come home and be a family with us?! Answer that!" Dib demanded.
However, Richard just stood silent and looked away from his kids. He turned away and went straight for the eraser board without thinking of how to explain his reason.
"It's about mom, wasn't it?"
That question got Dib and Richard to look at Gaz as she had a steel look towards her father.
"Gaz?" Dib asked.
"It was about mom, right? Annabelle Membrane. The woman that was there for me and Dib while you were stuck in your lab for God knows how long. I was never mad at the fact that you were barely around, but you were crazy enough to leave two small children by themselves after she died! That was stupid and reckless! Imagine if me and Dib were in serious trouble then?! Mom would be there because she knew the situation to protect and watch her kids!" Gaz spat out with hatred towards her dad.
"Don't you DARE speak to me that way! I have made sure that you were fed and sleeping somewhere safe because of it!" Richard pointed his finger at her.
"But we needed you, dad! Not some computer screen hovering over us for some crap!" Gaz yelled back.
"I have a job to do and science is important! Plus I needed to make sure things are good for you because I-"
"More than your own kids?! Then why don't you tell us you love us in person?! Or for real in that matter?!"
"BECAUSE I CANNOT FIND THE RIGHT STATEMENT TO LOVE TWO RECKLESS TEENAGERS OR TO SHOW FEELINGS TO A BUNCH OF EXPERIMENTAL CLONES OF MY DECEASED ONES!"
Silence. It was pure silence as Professor Membrane was now looking in horror to witness what he had just said. Dib and Gaz heard it loud and clear as they were shocked in disbelief to what Richard had just shouted from his own mouth.
"What...What did you say?" Dib was processing some words to speak out of while understanding what his dad said. "Do you say...experimental clones? As in me? And Gaz?!"
Richard soon turned his head away and spoke nothing more. He knew some things were never meant to be said, but he screwed up for something he wasn't supposed to speak at them.
"Dad?" Gaz said while coming out of her shock. "Explain. What did you mean by that?" Still silence as Gaz spoke again. "DAD!"
Richard soon gave up and turned to his kids with a neutral look. "You...You were both so young and innocent that your mother was very ecstatic to have you in the world…"
[Flashback]
Gaz, you were just a newborn. And Dib was either one or two years of age. Your mother was entrusting me to keep an eye out on you two while she was seeing her colleagues at her job. I was busy at the time and let you stay with me while I was working on a project to help with clean energy without wasting power. But at that time, I was near my goal. You two were distracted and I was about done with my work and sent you back to your mother.
But then, an intern was starting new and helped fix any glitches that might affect my greatest work. Once he was heading my way, he tripped on a wire; causing the systems to spike. I was losing so much power and tried to shut the machine down. Suddenly, an explosion was made and the entire room nearly blew up. Luckily, I stopped the machine and deactivated the project. The risk was much, but I decided to try it another time.
Suddenly, I realized that you two were in the room with me; protected in the other room. The explosion must've been from the machine and damaged parts of it. But as I entered inside, I was full of guilt and seeing poor innocent souls taken from me. Knowing that I caused this, with the troublesome of my intern, I would imagine how Annabelle would be! But then, I found another way: new-life cloning!
Gathering some DNA samples, I was able to form new specimens of my...deceased children. The original kids. About 30 minutes later, you kids were made. Your mother arrived just in time before she even knew what truly happened to you. I lied to her about how the lab exploded and that shocking event that I let her enjoy your company. Science was my work...but at what cost?
[End Flashback]
Dib and Gaz were unable to say anything to what they have just heard. DIb was on his knees to have something so shocking to not understand anything anymore.
Him and Gaz.
Clones.
Copies of their deceased selves.
'We're...we're clones?! I'm...No. No, no, no! I can't...HOW?!' Dib was in a disarray as he couldn't believe he was a copy of a deceased child.
Gaz, however, was silent during the entire story. Her eyes were shadowed by her hair and she was hard to read. In her mind, there was so much to take in.
"Look...kids...I-I know this is hard to process...but I felt this guilt for years and I regret hiding this from your mother. And...it was tragic to lose her without telling her the truth." Richard walked up to his daughter and put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry to not tell you this, my daughter. But I-"
[SFX: BAM!]
Dib snapped out of his sudden shock to turn and see Professor Membrane groaning in pain while on the broken table. He gasped to see Gaz seeing her hair down as she was growling with rage. The goth teen was staring at her 'father' while grinding her teeth.
"Gaz?" Dib silently said.
Richard was looking up as he was scooting back away from the rage-filled teen. "Gaz...just calm down and let us-"
"This whole time...I was a clone?! A FUCKING CLONE?! AN EXPERIMENT?!" Gaz shouted as she kicked the broken table out of the way. "Is that the reason I was nothing but a disturbed little girl?! Or the fact that you killed the original Gaz and Dib and never had the decency to accept the consequences of your actions?! Were we your personal lab rats?!"
"I-I...I-" Richard stuttered as he paused to try and think of something.
"All my life, I wanted you to try and be a good dad to us. I wanted us to be a family! I wanted us to be FUCKING TOGETHER without waiting for you ONCE A FUCKING YEAR for Family Night! But to you, leaving us in a house alone and barely showing up, that makes you ten times worse than our mother! No, wait! Our own MOTHER was there for me and Dib!"
"But, Gaz, I can explain-"
"Explain what?!" Gaz interrupted him. "That I spent year after year crying over mom dying right before Christmas that I was hoping, if there was a God up there, to bring her back! Better than the alternative to clone her and use her as an experiment as well!"
Richard soon spoke to her as he got up. "But I didn't and it would be awkward and strange to speak to someone...identical to Annabelle! You gotta understand that I didn't mean for that day to happen! I really do love you kids as my own!"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU ASSHOLE!" Gaz roared. "Love was never in your world of Science as it made me and Dib into what we are: clones of your guilty conscience! Do you even know ANYTHING about us?!"
"Of course, I do! How can I forget about my own children?!" Professor Membrane stated.
"Then tell me this: What's special about today?!" Gaz shouted back.
Before he would answer, Richard thought about it and was trying to figure out what would be so important. His memory was foggy on what he was supposed to think clearly on that question. So, he guessed.
"Um...my scientific achievement on getting clean energy for the city?" Gaz shook her head in disapproval. "Family Night?" She shook again while grinding her teeth. "...Annabelle's birthday?"
"My birthday. Today is my FUCKING BIRTHDAY!" Gaz shouted. "The day that you and my brother have forgotten for 11 years!"
Dib and Richard were shocked to believe that Gaz's birthday was today! And yet, they never knew that they remembered the last time they celebrated it. Dib was deep into that thought and was trying to figure out why he couldn't remember his own sister's birthday. But then, he realized that he was always busy with paranormal work and pestering Zim every day that he missed eleven years of his sister's birthday!
His heart was feeling a bit of hurt that he would forget something so special of his sister's birth. It hurt him more than the beatings he got from her. 'Gaz...I-I didn't know…'
"But you know what?! My birthday was officially the day I wanted to die! You remembered that enhancer drug that you've made?!" Gaz asked with hatred in her eyes.
Richard followed up on that statement. "Ah, yes! It was supposed to energize a person's stamina and keep them awake and focus while continuing their daily routine."
"Well, it worked. Because some sick fuck used it while HE FUCKING RAPED ME!" Gaz said while tears were coming down.
"WHAT?!" Both Richard and Dib shouted.
"Five hours. Your drug gave him five hours to constantly use me as his personal toy while I was about to die! I...I've felt used...weak...broken...I was never the same when *voice breaking* I was tortured that way! And the nightmares were worse when I started doing this to my arms!"
Gaz took off her arm sleeves to reveal the scarred canvas made by her. Dib and Richard were shocked to find blade cuts and old scars all over her arms. Dib looked over her arms and became so surprised that she would do this to herself.
"I never wanted this…*sob* but I was hurt for so long that *sob* I...I couldn't take it! A-And now...h-hearing that...I-I'm a clone *sob*..." Gaz lost her rage and ended with sadness and despair as she fell down on her knees and covered her face. Her cries were heartbroken and knew her limit was done.
Professor Membrane looked down in shame and knew this was how his obsession and past failures came to haunt him. Due to the fact that he created his children, he failed to actually show care and compassion to his own children; even if they are clones. Richard was supposed to be something inspirational to them, but science and his work caused this to happen. Before he would reach out to Gaz, she got up and went to the door.
Dib shouted, "Gaz, wait!" He was running to her and thought she might need some comfort. Even though she was mean to him and knowing that they're both clones, Gaz was still his sister.
Gaz opened the door and wanted to get away from what has happened today. But as she left, Gaz stopped to see Zim approached her. Tak followed behind as they were hearing some noises from the Conference Room. The former alien paused to see her in a crying state as her hair was down and her scarred arms were revealed. Before he would ask, the goth girl ran up to give him a hug.
Zim was stunned to see her like this and must think to believe that something went wrong and knew the family meeting had some things gone bad. 'Gaz...what happened?'
"Are you okay?" Zim asked softly while caressing her back.
"Zim...j-just take me away from here...Please…" Her voice breaking with utmost sadness that Zim didn't need to hear the rest. He held her hand and led her straight for the exit.
Once then, Tak spotted Dib and wanted to ask what happened. But his only response was, "Let's go."
Tak didn't say more as she went ahead to follow him. As the siblings left, Richard was left alone to know that he made a terrible mistake. All the years he spent developing cures and machines to change the world with science, but it only brought him nothing when losing his own children. Richard was supposed to be a good father, but science blocked his path and knew he screwed up big as a parent. He was on his knees and failed his own self for committing such actions. Richard could only watch his kids leave him. And for the first time in his life, science destroyed his chance of being a good dad.
"Annabelle...what have I done?"
TBC
Hello, guys! Sorry for the long wait! I'm on Christmas vacation and just relaxing after a long day of work and all! Right now, Zim and Gaz will take over as I drink some eggnog.
Zim: Thanks, Crow! As of this moment: A new fanfic project is being made called 'Lantern Knights: The Return of Nekron'. A huge crossover of Green Lantern and others that also has me and Gaz in there! Time for me to look like a badass!
Gaz: There will be a sneak peek of the story as it will tell you what thrills it will contain and some good action! But that's all for now! Next chapter is coming soon as it will be halfway done. Take care of yourselves and kick 2020's ass!
Zim: And another thing: Merry Christmas!
Gaz: And a Happy New Year!
GIR: YAY!
Zim and Gaz: Later!